strattitarius writes "Mark Zuckerberg met with top mobile and telco executives to address concerns that Internet providers are becoming "simple pipes" as apps like WhatsApp eat into high-margin over-the-top services such as text messaging and even voice communications. Orange SA CEO Stephane Richard stated "The risk for us is being excluded from the world of services".
It would seem that the telcos are realizing that they have been behind the curve as Richard stated "A service like WhatsApp, to be honest, that's something we could've and should've come up with before". Ironically in doing so, they basically make the case that they had every chance and advantage to create these apps and monetize them just as WhatsApp and Skype have done."
(Score: 0, Offtopic) by Taco Cowboy on Friday February 28 2014, @08:37AM
Earlier today I did a submission on Slashdot (p ose-charging-for-using-apps [slashdot.org] ) on a closely-related matter.
http://slashdot.org/submission/3372277/telcos-pro
Telcos in Singapore as well as in Australia are proposing that they want to put a surcharge on users who use apps, such as WhatsApp) and users who stream videos on services such as Youtube.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28 2014, @08:44AM
Slashdot? Jesus, you just made me visit slashdot! Not a happy camper here. Choose your side d00d.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Runaway1956 on Friday February 28 2014, @11:19AM
Choose your side? Why? SN and /. offer similar services. I'll just sit back, and see what happens. So far, I like SN. But, I'm not totally fed up with /. either. Competition is good. /. can't sit with their fingers stuck in their orifices, or they'll be left behind. SN can't just sit and feel smug that they are challenging the establishment, either. One, or the other, or both, are going to be a whole lot better for competition.
Now, if you were talking about choosing between Windows and Linux - I chose sides long, long, LONG ago.
http://penguinuity.com/Animation/Tux/Tux1.jpg [penguinuity.com]
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Friday February 28 2014, @04:39PM
If SN wants to win, it's going to need to post better written stories about news faster than the other site. How else can SN positively differentiate from /.?
Tips for better submissions to help our site grow. [dev.soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28 2014, @04:53PM
Easy... stay away from sensationalist claptrap.
Want to bring out the loonies? Talk about politics (D vs R) is always a good long 400 user story. Talk about the weather (global warming) usually a good 400 user story. Talk about what some government worker did to over react to something sort of tech. Talk about how some sort of economic thing will change the world (that way we can get every armchair economics 150 class taker to bikeshed about).
Basically post stories that divide your audience into 2 groups that will fight. End with a leading question like 'your not stupid are you?'.
Make all your stories 'bikeshed' stories and you will soon have an audience as thoughtful and as 'good' as /. is now.
Post stories like what you see on hackaday. Mixed in with a small bit of how tech is changing the world. You will do fine. Post what I talked about above and we will end up with an 'ok' /. or reddit clone.
(Score: 1) by kru on Friday February 28 2014, @07:17PM
How else can SN positively differentiate from /.?
/. right now because I can once again read all the comments at -1 and not be innundated by tripe, whether that be shills, trolls or just well-meaning people with nothing useful to add (like me!).
By offering better, more insightful comments from a superior readership. I like SN better than
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 02 2014, @08:08PM
I know it probably doesn't mean much but I visited the IRC channel once earlier on while everyone was still discussing the problems that this site will have being funded (and a bunch of other things) and I since haven't really been following up. I've still been visiting Slashdot and have been ... disappointed by both the posted stories and by the comments. They were/are sub-par to say the least. I just revisited this site and am very impressed by how much it advanced. The story quality is good and the comments so far seem to be a huge improvement over what Slashdot is now. Thanks.
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28 2014, @09:28AM
I think it's a faux pas to link to Slashdot. We are here because we are done with Slashdot, and I, for one, resent the attempt to lure me back.
I have mod points. Next time I see a link to Slashdot, I'm modding it Offtopic.
(Score: 2, Funny) by tibman on Friday February 28 2014, @10:21AM
So guys, for the next 5-10 minutes don't link to slashdot :P
SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Kawumpa on Friday February 28 2014, @09:31AM
What is this Slashdot-thingy?
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 28 2014, @09:41AM
It's the root directory, of course.
(Score: 1) by Buck Feta on Friday February 28 2014, @01:20PM
Nice. Do you have any goatse pictures you could share as well?
(Score: 1) by Dutchster on Friday February 28 2014, @01:35PM
What is this "Slashdot" of which you speak? I am curious to learn more!